Colt, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Remington: these names are some of the best-known in America, legends not primarily for who they were, but the guns they made. But it was these men, who lived during some of the hardest times in American history, who we have to thank for modern gun culture (whether you support it or not).
They created weapons not just for the trained soldier, but for every man and woman seeking to defend themselves from danger, tyranny, and oppression. In the pages of Gun Barons, join historian John Bainbridge Jr. on a tour through these men’s lives and the brave, bold actions that led them to establishing the legacies that still remain iconic to this day—men who, for better or worse, established the America in which we now live.
WERD has been reader-supported since 2009. When you buy through a link on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We do not accept compensation for reviews.
Want more? Join our newsletter and get the latest gear every week
Colt, Winchester, Smith & Wesson, Remington: these names are some of the best-known in America, legends not primarily for who they were, but the guns they made. But it was these men, who lived during some of the hardest times in American history, who we have to thank for modern gun culture (whether you support it or not).
They created weapons not just for the trained soldier, but for every man and woman seeking to defend themselves from danger, tyranny, and oppression. In the pages of Gun Barons, join historian John Bainbridge Jr. on a tour through these men’s lives and the brave, bold actions that led them to establishing the legacies that still remain iconic to this day—men who, for better or worse, established the America in which we now live.